The fragile veneer of Billy’s confidence, beneath which hides the reality of his troubled childhood, fractures after his ambitions to become a medical student are crushed by poor exam results. With college failure Billy’s insecurities are cut open leading him into dark, dangerous and destructive avenues. Progressing though blind, angry vandalism he willingly immerses himself in the language, culture and expectations of a religious fundamentalist group: The Risen. The Risen offers Billy a voice, shared values and simplistic answers to complex questions. Kevin remains in the background until, in co-operation Sean Tobin, the brother of Billy’s father’s Irish partner, he takes centre stage as the adventure reaches its shocking conclusion. “So mate, what’s your violence?”, Ronnie asked as I cleared the tables preparing to knock off work. “I don’t follow. What violence?”, I replied as we left the café together. “Sure you do”, he answered, “It’s written all over your half smiling face. Doesn’t quite cover the scowl does it? Trying to fool outsiders you’re cool and at peace with the world with a sneer you don’t understand. Yet. Expressions intimidating people to keep well clear: ‘I’m as dangerous as a kitten’”. Published by Solstice Publishing

The Monesse Mystery is a rich, complex adventure, exploring how the two friends face the consequences of war, deceit and redemption as they investigate the theft of an art treasure. The pair’s adventure is split between Billy’s provincial hometown and the Landes village of Kevin’s French pen pal where they discover a Commonwealth War Grave for a Black South African soldier. In a nearby village is a memorial to ten American fliers killed in action during 1944. “OK, Kevin”, I finally said, “listen to me. Don’t even consider asking questions. You’re about to enter my domain. A place you’ve not been before and, hopefully to God, where you’ll never go again. “Don’t even consider contradicting what I’ll say. We’re existing on borrowed time, of that I’m sure. “I’m not cold steel anymore Kevin, I’m death reborn, no longer scared of the other side’s horrors. I’ve been there. Nor am I a guardian angel, the nice guy to the rescue, sorting everyone’s problems out.” Published by Solstice Publishing

Billy Day is an emotionally intelligent teenager – though with self-doubt and a troubled history – living in a rundown district with his lone parent father; ex-army, ex-prisoner. Close to his father Billy’s familiar with the realities of life. The Billy Can Bomb opens with Billy viciously attacked. Kevin Knight intervenes to rescue him. Despite their differing backgrounds, Kevin is affluent, high achieving middle class, Caribbean, they instantly click. The Billy Can Bomb adventure follows the two tracking down a gang selling drugs in their town. As the story unfolds Billy’s positive relationship with his father comes alive. Billy constantly wonders how his father, who served in Northern Ireland, acted facing extreme danger. This is answered when Billy reacts instinctively to confront the drug gang to better them. Billy and Kevin’s character differences are probed when they discuss how to catch the pushers. Kevin sees everything in personal terms, whereas for Billy it’s a game of outwitting King, the drug gang leader. Nor is it about revenge, rather devising strategies to overcome the gang’s willingness to use force. Awakening into maturity Billy’s determined no one was going to defeat him. His father, with special forces training was, sure enough, inside […]